Process for phase separation

Abstract

A separation process for improved separation of liquids containing finely divided suspended particles using multiple stacks of parallel angled interceptor plates which divide the separation vessel to provide an annular space between the parallel angled interceptor plates and the vertical wall of the separation vessel to thereby form an inlet manifold for the plates which manifold provides a uniform, uninterrupted flow to each stack of plates. The arrangement of plates also forms an outlet manifold which provides a uniform flow from each stack of plates and directs the liquid stream having a reduced level of finely divided suspended particles downward in the separation vessel to an exit in the lower end of the vessel. The feed liquid is introduced into the lower end of the separation vessel with an inlet distributor which initially directs at least a major portion of the feed liquid in a generally downward direction to effect a primary separation prior to being introduced into the stacks of parallel angled interceptor plates. The introduction of the feed liquid and the exit of the separated product streams from the lower end of the separation vessel balance the velocity heads on either side of the stacks of the parallel angled interceptor plates and eliminates horizontal surfaces which would accumulate solids.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A separation process for the separation of a mixture of liquid and finely divided suspended particles which process comprises: (a) introducing a first mixture of liquid and finely divided suspended particles into a separator vessel;   (b) passing said first mixture through an inlet distributor located in the separator vessel and directing at least a major portion of said first mixture out of said inlet distributor in a generally downward direction to separate particles from said first mixture;   (c) passing a second mixture having a reduced concentration of finely divided suspended particles upwardly from below said inlet distributor to an arrangement of a multiplicity of parallel angled interceptor plates located above said inlet distributor in said separator vessel;   (d) passing said second mixture in a generally horizontal direction across said parallel angled interceptor plates to direct finely divided suspended particles across and generally downward towards the lower portions of said parallel angled interceptor plates;   (e) collecting finely divided particles from said parallel angled interceptor plates;   (f) transporting the finely divided particles to a lower locus of said vertical separator vessel having a location below said inlet distributor;   (g) passing a stream containing a reduced concentration, relative to said second mixture, of finely divided suspended particles from said parallel angled interceptor plates in a downward direction; and   (h) recovering said stream containing a reduced concentration of finely divided suspended particles.   
     
     
       2. The separation process of claim 1 wherein said separator vessel is cylindrical. 
     
     
       3. The separation process of claim 1 wherein said inlet distributor comprises four feed inlet pipes. 
     
     
       4. The separation process of claim 1 wherein said feed inlet distributor has a bottom outlet area to top outlet area ratio of from about 3 to about 5. 
     
     
       5. The separation process of claim 1 wherein said parallel angled interceptor plates are arranged in relation to the horizontal at an angle from about 35° to about 55°. 
     
     
       6. The separation process of claim 1 wherein said parallel angled interceptor plates impose a pressure drop across the parallel angled interceptor plates of at least about 0.01 psi to provide smooth, even flow through all of said parallel angled interceptor plates. 
     
     
       7. The separation process of claim 6 wherein said pressure drop is imposed at least in part by an end portion of said parallel angled interceptor plates which is bent at about a 90° angle with respect to the remaining portion of said parallel angled interceptor plate. 
     
     
       8. The separation process of claim 7 wherein said end portion of said parallel angled interceptor plate defines holes to thereby permit fluid to flow through said holes. 
     
     
       9. The separation process of claim 1 wherein said parallel angled interceptor plates range in length from about 2 to about 5 feet and are separated by a distance from about 0.2 to about 0.8 inches. 
     
     
       10. A separation process for the separation of a mixture of liquid and finely divided suspended particles which process comprises: (a) introducing a first mixture of liquid and finely divided suspended particles into a generally vertical separator vessel having an upper locus and a lower locus;   (b) passing said first mixture through an inlet distributor located in the lower locus of the separator vessel and directing at least a major portion of said mixture out of said feed inlet distributor in a generally downward direction to separate particles from said first mixture;   (c) passing a second mixture having a reduced concentration of finely divided suspended particles from below said inlet distributor through an annular space defined at least in part by an arrangement of a multiplicity of parallel angled interceptor plates located above said inlet distributor in said upper locus of said separator vessel;   (d) passing said second mixture in a generally horizontal direction across said parallel angled interceptor plates to direct finely divided suspended particles across and generally downward towards the lower portions of said parallel angled interceptor plates;   (e) collecting finely divided particles from said parallel angled interceptor plates in a multiplicity of conduits located in communication with and adjacent to said parallel angled interceptor plates;   (f) transporting the finely divided particles in said conduits to said lower locus of said vertical separator vessel and below said inlet distributor;   (g) passing a stream containing a reduced concentration, relative to said second mixture, of finely divided suspended particles from said parallel angled interceptor plates in a downward direction through a central flow manifold located along the center line of said separator vessel and defined in part by the arrangement of a multiplicity of parallel angled interceptor plates into said lower locus of said vertical separator vessel; and   (h) recovering said stream containing a reduced concentration of finely divided suspended particles.   
     
     
       11. The separation process of claim 10 wherein said annular space communicates with said central flow manifold via at least one pressure relief valve.